* * *
General Noaz studied the distant battle from high up in an observation room in the PrasiaOdous Mountains. One of his staff officers stepped up to him, reporting, “It’s rough going on those hills east of the river. The enemy keeps pressing our defenses but so far they’re still holding. General Winehardt’s Division has been taking a real beating. She says they're hanging on...thinks they can stay the course, especially with a little added support.”
Noaz asked, “How are we doing on this side of the river?”
The officer replied, “The enemy hasn’t attempted any landings on this side, and it doesn’t look like they will try it now. Their troop carriers took a mauling landing their people on the flooded flats behind those hills. We’re already putting troops across the river to thwart an enemy attack on the rear of those hills (the Silk). We’ve also got armor advancing down the corduroyed roads.”
“So, do my generals think we can hold ‘em with what we have?” Noaz asked, still scanning the horizon with his field glasses.
The officer replied in the affirmative. “They say they can, but it sure would help if we sent in those marine and veteran reserves.”
Noaz said it was not to be. “I’ve been in communication with Commodore General Planetee. She and I concur that those troopers are needed elsewhere.” He lowered his glasses and looked at the officer. “I want you to get down to General RhomPhaia’s division headquarters and tell her to put everyone she can into those hills. Tell her to use the gunships, if necessary, to transport soldiers and supplies over there. Tell her to empty this side of the river of its combatants, if that’s what it takes to keep those hills.”
He glanced toward the river. “Sometimes all it takes in situations like this are a few hundred fresh troops to turn the tide.”
The officer acknowledged the general and departed. Noaz then turned to another staff officer. “Has General LuoMagos finished preparations for operation Simple Help?”
The staff officer answered, “Yes, sir. But he informs me that he has only enough transport ships to ferry twenty thousand soldiers at a time, fifteen thousand if they take their anti-armor weapons.”
General Noaz nodded. “Then tell him the first wave of fifteen thousand should depart immediately. Tell him to put them down here.” He pointed to a location on the map, somewhere south of Memphis. “That’s where we’re collapsing. Tell him to make haste. There’s no time to lose. I will send in all the air support available to cover his attack.”
The general thought a moment then snapped his fingers. “The frigate Gorsbee is preparing to depart. Tell General LuoMagos to have it ferry an additional regiment of Marines over before it joins the fleet.”
“Yes, sir!” The officer hurried out the door.
General Noaz lifted his glasses toward the river. Smoke hung heavy over the landscape. He muttered under his breath, “I’ve done all I can. The rest is up to you...”